TAMPA, Fla. — It is the perfect storm of a national championship game. Miami is the first to play on its home field in the era (BCS/CFP) of a designated title game. Indiana is the national feel-good story with its meteoric rise from what the all-time losingest program – currently Northwestern — to sudden powerhouse under coach Curt Cignetti. IU, by the way, also has the nation’s largest alumni base.
Perfect storm? Well, for many of those interested in attending Monday evening’s matchup at Hard Rock Stadium, it might be the perfect nightmare for the checking account. Or mortgage.
According to Ticket Data, the average ticket price as of early afternoon Wednesday was $2,952, down from the average of $3,538 on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday afternoon, roughly 15 hours after the Hoosiers toppled Oregon, the price was about $3,900.
Why be average and mingle with the riff raff when you have the option of paying $54,181 for a ticket – one ticket — in 72 Club. At least that was the price on TickPick on Tuesday afternoon. Several such premium club seats were available for far less, though five figures was the norm.
READ: Miami’s Final Drive Against Ole Miss Underscored The Hurricanes’ Resilience
What does a high roller get for such a sum? How about the “11 inches more leg room and 8 inches wider seats?” Even in a larger seat, one might become rather claustrophobic while gorging on food, beer and wine options that come with the expense. StubHub, meanwhile, had a pair of 72 Club seats for $35,368 as of Tuesday.
Perhaps your budget does not allow for any of the above? No problem. How about an upper-level end zone seat 21 rows up? Vivid Seats has one for you at $4,102. You can be cost-conscious when it comes to parking as well. For example, you can spend a mere $150 to park in the Golden Glades Parking Garage….10 miles away. Free shuttle service provided!
Then again, you can say the hell with it and opt for the short stroll from parking lot to stadium entrance by purchasing a spot in the Black South Lot on SeatGeek for……$9,548!! You read the correctly. No, a new set of Pirelli max performance tires are not included. As with game tickets, in-close parking spots can be had for less. Such as $3,688 in the Maroon Lot.
To think I am complaining that the Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel I am staying at is charging me $5 to park. Perhaps I should protest! (Nah. You have read enough of that nonsense in the pages of Tampa Free Press of late. I keep my complaints to myself.)
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